Schoolboy to share stage with a musical superstar

A schoolboy musician from Norwich will be playing alongside a world famous pianist in a special concert in the capital next month.

Adam Possener, from Church Lane, Eaton, who turns 10 next week, will be sharing the stage with Lang Lang – a young Chinese superstar who has played sold out concerts all over the world and is said to have inspired more than 40 million Chinese children to start learning to play the piano.

More than five billion people watched Lang Lang's performance at the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Adam is one of 100 young pianists nationwide who have been picked to take part in a concert with Lang Lang in the Royal Festival Hall, at the Southbank Centre, on Sunday, May 22.

'I am really, really happy. It is really exciting. Lang Lang is my hero, and I am going to be playing with my hero,' said Adam, who has just passed his piano grade five exam with a distinction.

'I saw Lang Lang last year at the Royal Albert Hall and he really inspired me. The way he plays the piano is amazing.'

Adam won his place in the concert after sending in a DVD of him playing one of his grade five exam pieces – Giga by Richard Jones.

It was filmed in his front room just hours before the competition deadline and had eight-year-old brother Daniel saying 'pick me, pick me!' in the background.

On St Patrick's Day, Adam's excited family received an email saying Adam had been selected for the concert.

'We were so excited – we just could not believe it,' said Adam's proud mum Jacqui Hanlon, 45.

'Adam playing alongside Lang Lang is like someone playing alongside Wayne Rooney if they love football.'

She added: '100 children have been picked and they are going to play a massive piano overture on 50 grand pianos as a closing concert after Lang Lang's week's residency at the Southbank Centre.'

The music Adam will be involved in performing at the concert is Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner, Marche Militaire by Schubert, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 5.

Adam, who goes to Town Close House Preparatory School, said he would love to be a professional pianist and composer when he is older.

He started playing the piano when he was five and is taught by Bethany Farrow. He is already composing his own music and also plays the violin.

Do you know someone who is achieving great things in music? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk

Looking for something to do this weekend? Visit the What's On section of www.eveningnews24.co.uk for details of events happening in and around the city.